Treachery and Temptation: Lessons from Benedict Arnold and Judas
When you read the name Benedict Arnold, what’s the first word that comes to your mind? If you know your American history, the word is “traitor.” Benedict Arnold is the most notorious traitor in American history, but why? Who was he and why did he turn against the Continental Army?
Benedict Arnold joined the Continental Army when the Revolutionary War began. He proved to be a brave and exemplary soldier, helping the Colonies take Fort Ticonderoga in 1775, and then earning a promotion to the rank of Major General later that year. George Washington was one of his strongest supporters. However, Arnold had made enemies along the way. Arnold was married to an English loyalist, which may explain why five times between 1775 and 1777, men of lesser rank received promotions over him. Arnold became disgruntled with the Army.
During these years, Arnold and his wife were living a lavish lifestyle in Philadelphia and had accumulated considerable debt. In 1780, Washington gave Arnold command of West Pointe. But Arnold betrayed Washington's confidence. Influenced by being passed over for promotions, by his loyalist wife, and by his debt, he agreed to surrender West Pointe to the British for £20,000 pounds.
American militia exposed the plot when they found papers detailing the scheme in the briefcase of Arnold’s co-conspirator, British Major John Andre. The hanged Andre, but Arnold escaped the noose, having already fled to the British for safety. Arnold became a brigadier general in the British Army and led successful attacks against the colonies until 1782, when he moved to England. He never was punished for his treachery. Benedict Arnold’s story shows how the things of this world can so easily corrupt us. All it takes is a little disillusionment, sprinkle in the love of money or material goods, and opportunity. Arnold had all three.
We’re in the Easter season now, and in the history of traitors, there is none more infamous than Judas. 1800 years earlier, Judas fell victim to the same formula that ensnared Benedict Arnold, proof that human nature never changes. Jesus recruited Judas to be one of his disciples, but Judas agenda differed from Jesus.’ He wanted to defeat Rome. Jesus came to defeat Satan, sin, and death. Judas became disillusioned with choosing Jesus' side.
Jesus taught that we should not covet material things. Matthew 6:33: Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Judas preferred material riches over spiritual blessings. John’s gospel says Judas was a thief. As treasurer for the apostles, he had access to the money bag and would steal from it.
Last, Judas seized opportunity. The Bible is full of warnings to avoid the path of the wicked. For example, Psalm 1:1-2: How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers! But his delight is in the law of the Lord. Judas became wicked and sought the plotting Pharisees to betray Jesus to them. Disillusionment, love of money, and opportunity.
It’s so easy for us to look back on Judas and ask, “How could he do it?” The answer is that Judas didn’t become a traitor in a day. It was a process, cemented by hardening his heart over the weeks, months, and years he spent with Jesus, though never truly becoming His disciple. If we think that could never happen to us, well, Peter was a true disciple, and he denied Jesus three times. Do we think we’re any better?
To avoid falling away from Jesus, from flipping to Satan’s side as Judas did, we must remain in His Word and in prayer. Only then will we have the strength to face Satan’s weapons of disillusionment, love of money, and self-promotion. As Good Friday and Easter Sunday approach, remember Jesus’ love for us showed by the cross. The more we stand at the foot and remember what Jesus did to save us, the harder it will be for Satan to tempt us from Him with the empty riches of the world. Remain loyal to Jesus. His rewards are eternal.